International Indigenous Rights Advocate Autumn Peltier shares knowledge and inspiration with HDSB students and staff

Students across the Halton District School Board (HDSB) had the opportunity to learn from internationally recognized Indigenous rights and water advocate Autumn Peltier during a series of school visits in June. As part of her visit to Halton, Peltier met with students and staff across Burlington, Oakville and Milton, sharing her experiences as a water protector and encouraging young people to use their voices to create positive change.

Peltier, an Anishinaabe Indigenous Rights advocate, UN Speaker and author from Wiikwemikong Unceded Territory, has been championing clean water and Indigenous rights since she was eight years old. Her work has earned international recognition through appearances at the United Nations, The World Economic Forum, working with Dr. Jane Goodall, multiple nominations for the International Children's Peace Prize and being named Canada's Walk of Fame Community Hero in 2023.

At John William Boich PS, students in Grades 3-8 gathered to hear Peltier speak about her water advocacy journey.

"Without water, there would be nothing," she told students. "Water feeds the grass outside, the plants, the trees, the animals, the medicines and the food."

Peltier encouraged students to think about the importance of protecting water and reminded them that everyone has the ability to make an impact.

"It only takes one strong voice to create change," she said. "When we all use our voices together, the world will hear us."

During a question-and-answer session, students asked Peltier about her journey as an advocate, the challenges she has faced and the experiences that impacted her work.

When asked how she found the courage to stand up for clean water at such a young age, Peltier reflected on a visit to a community where signs warned residents not to drink the tap water.

"I learned there were kids my age who had never experienced being able to drink water from their taps without boiling it first," she said. "That's when I felt like, 'Why is nobody talking about this?'"

Students were particularly interested in how Peltier overcame challenges, including public speaking fears and bullying.

"It does take a lot of courage," Peltier said. "I used to be very nervous to speak up in front of large crowds of people. As I got older, I constantly pushed myself out of my comfort zone because I knew that I wanted to use my voice and create change."

When a student asked whether she had ever considered giving up, Peltier spoke candidly about difficult periods in her life and the importance of remembering her purpose.

"What helped me get through those moments was always remembering why I'm doing what I'm doing and who I'm doing it for," she said. "The water doesn't have a voice, and if we don't speak up for the water, who will?"

Peltier spoke about the bravery she showed in standing up to those who have acted with a lack of care for clean water and “my people.” 

"I feel very empowered and very proud of myself for speaking my mind and standing up for what I believed in," she said.

Peltier encouraged students to recognize that age is not a barrier to making a difference, and that it can only take one person to influence change.

She asked students: "What if that one person is you?"

Peltier's visit to John William Boich PS was one of several engagements across the HDSB, intended to advance student and staff education in Indigenous Rights, truths, responsibilities and reconciliation.